Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-12
NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.
intense Excitement Prevailed at the
Opering Session Officials
Forcibly Elected by the Police-The
Republicans and Labor Men Organize
aud Elect their Officers.
TRENTON, n j.. Jan. IL

TRENTON, n j., Jan. IL.
The republican members of the State Sem
ate held caucus and selected officers to be
chosen when the organization is agreed upon
The democratic members made honorary
nominations.
The democratic assemblymen held a eau.
Gus and nominated Hudspeth of Hudson for
speaker. Wolverton, defeated candidate
for the place. and three others Immediately
boted and a recess was taken. An attempt
at reconciliation was unsuccessful When
the time fixed for organization arrived the
democrats ware still in caucus. The repub-
| lican senators met and decided not to org
anize till o'clock tomorrow. Finally the
assembly doors were flung open and in an
instant the galleries were filled and the re-
publican members t1ocked upon the floor
| Clerk Samuel Toombs of the last assembly
and Sergeant-at Arms Colfax, republicans,
took up their positions. The democratic
assemblymen declared their privacy had
! been violated before the caucus was over.
| Mr.. Armstrong, however, speaking for the
republicans, declined to leave. He said the
time for organizing the House had passed
and their place was in the chamber. An an
grv deba,e followed and some one sent to the
police station for aid. Sergf. Sweeney and
three officers responded Chairman Beck
with of the democratic caucus then ordered
| the republicans to leave. They seemed re-
luciant to do so, and he then directed the
police to put out ex clerk roombs and ex-
sergt at arms Colfax. The policemen laid
hold of these ex-officals and forclby pushed
them out of the main door.
During this scene the excitement was in
tense. The republican assemblymen then re-
tired into the speakers room, and the CALLER
les being cleared the democratic caucus pro-
ceeded. Crowds still blocked the corridors
and discussion ran high. Suddenly the gal
leries again op4ned and a crowd broke in.
At the same moment the republican assem-
blymen gained admttance from the speakers
room, and with them were the,two labor men,
Carroll and Donohue, together with Messrs
Wolyerton, Baird and Arnwine, three of the
democratic boilers. This made jus, 81 votes
for ma ority of the House.
ExSpeaker Armstrong announced that this
quorum had just organized the House by
the election of DIR. VIM. NJ. Baird, demo
crat. of Warren, as speaker, Jas. Atkinson,
democrat, of Essex, clerk, j Herbert Potts,
| republican, of Hudson, reading clerk and
| Terrence j. Mcdonald, independent demo
crat, sargeant at arms. Thereupon DR.. Baird
proceeded to take the chair, but Assembly
man McDermitt, democrat, however moved
| that Assemblyman Beckwith of Atlantic be
temporary chairman. The combination op-
posed this, but Mr.. Beckwith attempted to
take the chair. In the midst of struggle
for the gravel, ex-Speaker Armstrong moved
for adjournment till tomorrow and the motion
prevailed The excitement of the earlier
part of the day was nothing compared to that
which attended the elimination of the day s
fight. One effect is to compicate the sens-
torial situation worse than ever. The demo-
Gratis confess that after this exhibition in
their own ranks, they can predict nothing as
to the vote for senator.
| Warrants were issued tonight for the ar
rest of the policemen who assisted this af-
ternoon in clearing the assembly chamber.
The complaint was sworn to by Sergeant at
Arms Mcdonald and is intended to bring up
for settlement the question whether Governor
Albeit had the right to order policemen, as
it is alleged he did, to interfere with members
of the legislature.
In caucus tonight it is said the democrats
decided TO abandon their purpose of contest
ing the assembly organization effected this
afternoon.